Verizons

Verizons is a term used across various works of fiction and speculative discourse to denote different but related concepts. There is no single canonical definition; meanings vary by author and universe. In some contexts, Verizons functions as a broad label for a networked information infrastructure within a story, rather than a concrete entity.

In science fiction media, Verizons are frequently depicted as a global or interplanetary information network consisting of nodes, satellites, or data conduits that enables real-time communication, data sharing, or even collective artificial intelligence. Some portrayals describe them as enabling ubiquitous surveillance or as a coordinating nervous system for advanced technologies. The term is often used to explore themes of connectivity, control, and the ethics of pervasive data networks.

The term is also used for fictional corporate entities called Verizons, depicted as technology monopolies controlling digital infrastructure, cloud services, or communications hardware in dystopian or techno-thriller settings. In these works, Verizons can be antagonists, catalysts for plot conflict, or ambiguous players whose motives reflect broader concerns about power and information sovereignty.

In fan literature and world-building communities, Verizons may refer to modular technologies for broadcasting or sensing, or serve as narrative devices to examine privacy, autonomy, and societal dependence on connected systems. Etymology is generally unclear and likely derives from neologisms created to evoke notions of verification, vision, or brand-like familiarity.

Not to be confused with Verizon Communications, a real multinational telecommunications company.